Secrets to Perfect Pull-ups with Navy SEAL Stew Smith

[@XXLRebel]

Love how detailed he gets: "Pull yourself up"

[@rileyf8036]

What is he going to say for that part? I thought he did a great job showing grips and entire versions that were new to me.

[@seanlennon5986]

@@rileyf8036 How about, nothing.

[@jamesnightingale2788]

How about keeping your shoulders back and don’t use momentum “Kipping”

[@Shavars.Sanctuary]

I mean it’s pretty simple lol

[@bobhydro913]

What he means is try not to flail around to do a single pull-up. Keep your body strait by engaging your core and pull all the way up to your chest. Also go all the way down to a neat dead hang. Some people will swing a little when unable to do a full range of motion so to not do so. If this happens then it's probably better to train easier exercises like scapula shrugs, resistance bad pullups, and grip training.

[@brickmissing8295]

0:49 “All you do from here is pull your head up over the bar, back down and repeat”.... Yes....That’s the difficult bit.

[@Jonassoe]

Yeah who is this video made for? People who are strong enough to do pull-ups but don't know that you're supposed to pull yourself up?

[@rileyf8036]

@@Jonassoe Well you can’t coach “pulling up”. What you can teach is grip and how to isolate certain muscles like he does. What is he going to say?

[@alexisXcore93]

It gets way easier

[@marcg4449]

@@rileyf8036 P

[@rileyf8036]

@@marcg4449 well said

[@aylyi-huh9355]

legend has it he's still introducing the next pull-up

[@brentdavis5329]

😂🙏💛🤳

[@IsraelCountryCube]

Hes introducing the *weightless pullup!*

[@macchiato_1881]

Idk but old fitness videos like these have a certain element of trustworthiness to them instead of the fitness influencer bullshit we see nowadays

[@ASAP_Kenny]

He’s not trying to sell a supplement

[@blasdelezoyolavarrieta7346]

I feel the same.

[@guitardust21]

The proof is also in their physique

[@bernardflint9338]

I have been doing pull-ups for over half a century. I followed the advice given with thumbs on the proper side of the bar and immediately improved. I wish I knew about this in the 60s. Thanks!!! (I guess better late than never.

[@dragonchr15]

I had no idea that was even legal at a military PFT.

[@bernardflint9338]

@@dragonchr15 I don't recall any restrictions on hand placement other than palms out. I went through boot camp 50 years ago.

[@Justin-ut2vw]

How many pull ups can you do

[@flocz5655]

U didnt try other grip variations in 50 yrs?

[@soupy1272]

Doing pull-ups with this grip will make it easier but it puts more strain on your elbows and can cause tendinitis over time

[@brettharperspodcast]

I just love how simple the clip is without needed a doctorate in health and fitness.

[@yagzyalcntas553]

maybe thats why all he says is "pull yourself up" wow why couldnt have i thought that lol

[@runningthor1999]

This dude wrote a book detailing the exercises/sets/reps needed to prepare for BUDS. Doing the 12 week program right now and it’s intense.

[@GetFitNowdotcom]

#hooyah #getsome

[@Jack_Mehoff]

Which one did you get?

[@runningthor1999]

@@Jack_Mehoff book? Complete Guide to Navy Seal Fitness

[@James225]

I hope it was a little more DETAILED than this video. "....and....pull yourself up" WOW!! HOW PROFOUND!!! 🤡

[@mattmii8523]

@@James225 There are people training for the military who have legitimately never done a pull up. Others watch these videos for seeing proper form. Your anger is in vain.

[@merces47letifer4]

Stew Smith said he got out of shape during First Phase of BUD/S. This man is a fucking animal.

[@xboxman5ify]

+Brandonius Brando you aren't starved at buds even during hell week they're fed extremely well

[@mathdavies9546]

He's struggling with the close grip haha

[@nathanspiers9559]

He’s correct that you do recruit more muscles in the hand by wrapping the thumb. However, one isn’t necessarily “better” than the other. It depends. If you are a beginner learning to do pulls and you don’t have very good grip strength, don’t wrap. If you want to get the most out of every rep, do a little extra. Wrap it up. It’s better for you over time.

[@UsadBroo]

That part did confuse me. So what if you're using more muscles just to hold yourself up? Isn't it a good thing to get those muscles exercised as well?

[@WithmeVerissimusWhostoned]

@@UsadBroo for you personally yes, but not if you're looking to pass a test you know you cannot ace like a boss

[@activ-1758]

@@WithmeVerissimusWhostoned great reply

[@joseph-oh9dg]

@@UsadBroo your forearms could tire you out before your muscles you’re trying to work get tired out, and you could end up not working the muscles you intended to work at all.

[@nathanspiers9559]

@@WithmeVerissimusWhostoned that’s a great point I hadn’t considered. If you have to pass meet a requirement like in the military training then get it through it any way you have to the day of. But from a training stand point it’s best to use optimal biomechanics.

[@Neo-n9k]

No corny intro, annoying music, straight to the point!

[@poolboyinla]

If you wrap your thrumbs around the bar, it helps build grip strength, especially if you use a thick bar like that. This is really good for wrestlers.

[@CrabappleKing]

Travis you maniac what are you saying?

[@nathanspiers9559]

@@CrabappleKing It means he’s wrong bud. It’s better for you in the long run to wrap your thumbs. It’s how your hands are meant to close.

[@cocainecarl7814]

@@nathanspiers9559 Not just that, it allows you to build more stability if you're looking to be able to do advanced calisthenics exercises. The technique shown in this video is by no means incorrect, but there are different ways to do pull-ups to train/target specific muscle groups and improve your stability and muscle coordination.

[@jonjameson6606]

Trying to turn an upper body exercise into a grip exercise is stupid. If you make the exercise dependant on grip by CHOOSING to do the exercise with the hardest grip that's what you're doing and that's what you are.

[@senkkella7664]

@@jonjameson6606 true true

[@dul22]

1:12 and don't hesitate to let that extra fart go his way, this means you're giving your best at performing this particular exercice.

[@dwoolwichpoly9086]

It was the bar hitting the mic attached to his collar

[@dxntevxntry6975]

@@dwoolwichpoly9086 no shit

[@MjkL1337]

@@dwoolwichpoly9086 wrong. it was a fart.

[@dul22]

@@MjkL1337 hahahahaha

[@mashedpotato982]

Oreo's are such a great snack to eat while watching this.

[@krasky]

PUT THAT COOKIE DOWN! NOW! (kzbin.info/www/bejne/mn6vkn6IbsqiiKM)

[@noobfromhell563]

@@krasky thank god you included the link

[@sidewinderxx]

The secrets to perfect pullups: 1. "all you do from here is pull your head over the bar" 0:48 2. "pull yourself up" 1:11 3. "aaaand pull yourself up" 1:37 4. "and pull yourself up" 2:06 5. "pull yourself up" 2:36 6. "have your buddy help you up, whatever" 3:11

[@budekins542]

That is The most helpful tip I've ever heard on the subject of pullups. .have the thumbs over the bar instead of under it!

[@ralfburon6179]

A good trainer in a gym should know this 😉

[@DrRuhe]

no watch athlean x, if u do tgis over time, you will get tendon pain like tennis elbow. and then you know the drill.... no more pull ups cuz of injury motafokas

[@giggymiggins2456]

cool to see the thumb placement in a SEAL training video. I discovered this technique by accident when I broke both of my thumbs playing football in high school but still wanted to do some training. Edit: Understandably, I was surprised that my new grip was easier than traditional pullup grip and the irony of being better at pullups after breaking my thumbs was not lost on me.

[@TrevorHamberger]

how the hell did you break both of your thumbs?

[@giggymiggins2456]

@@TrevorHamberger I was a running back and people liked to put their face masks into my hands.

[@TrevorHamberger]

@@giggymiggins2456 I was trying to think of a scenario that would or could be possible. Couldn't think of one. That makes sense.

[@masonlerner9342]

@@TrevorHamberger owing money to a bookie would be most common, I’m guessing.

[@haha-yi8qi]

@@masonlerner9342 lmao

[@DEEP_PRACTICE]

Simple, but so effective. Thanks for uploading.

[@aberhan]

Simple, factual and straight to the point. Perfect 👌 I have been doing pull-ups for just over a year now. This is the best no-nonsense video I have seen. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@Laocoon283]

He literally just tells you to pull up lmao

[@roberte289]

@@Laocoon283 right? This is not a great tutorial.

[@Astamor]

Also not very factual, what he calls "reverse pull up" is just chin up and no, it does not work biceps more than back. It still mainly engages your back, but engages biceps more than regular pullup.

[@lrockyfan5106]

@@Astamor he said the reverse pull up because you're starting already up.

[@Astamor]

@@lrockyfan5106 no, that's negative pull up. He called chin up a reverse pull up

[@mace2172]

I was waiting for him to troll us and it zoom out and show a bunch of dudes lifting him up lol

[@GetFitNowdotcom]

lol

[@ANDRE-sp2mi]

Thank you for this video. Negative pull ups are my favorite. I appreciate this video.

[@learnwithdegree6270]

Found his book at the library, definitely going to build this pull-up station.

[@jasonvoorhees8899]

What's special about it ?

[@JackMeoff46]

Jason Voorhees It’s simple and effective

[@dominusfons4455]

Guys! Take note of his first ever advice regarding the grip. It could mean the difference between being able to do 30+ pull-ups and being stuck at 20 or lower :)

[@Mitutumuch]

dude literally wrote my comment and found yours.

[@hineighbor]

This guy is a fucking machine

[@btownshreds1]

I want that pull-up station.

[@MrVortz]

So, get it or mount it.

[@jasonvoorhees8899]

@@MrVortz from where

[@aberhan]

Those are easily built. I built my own, but I can weld. Check with the welders you know.

[@balalunga1]

My thought too 😉

[@LK-om2lp]

Menards or Home Depot 1-1/2" or 2" black pipe, 90 degree elbows, T-joints

[@pakiaoo7]

his explanation on technique is next level

[@jakeisaac160]

That hand grip advice was priceless for me. Thank you so much, sir

[@CoolSmoovie]

There’s something so charming and nostalgic about this video

[@mikekruger7728]

Extremely useful information, never saw anyone describe and show how to do a pullup better than that, especially how to train yourself to do them with the negative. This is really going to help me, thank you!

[@RahulSharma-oz3dq]

i guess you've never watched any video on a pull before then

[@freshurb8963]

Military fitness has never failed me.

[@blazecarr]

so many people dont know about thumb position , glad he makes it clear first thing

[@hjhj742]

- How many variations of pull ups do you want? - Yes!

[@danielsalem5418]

Wow man, glad i watched this, been doing a bunch of pullups thumbs facing away! smh! thanks Stew

[@dominusfons4455]

I recommend doing both so you get to train whatever muscle you were using when your thumbs was facing you which you no longer uses when facing forward. You’ll be amaze at the things that muscle can do for you later on when you start doing harder stuffs or just make your grip tougher on all front.

[@christianmichaels6834]

I've been doing a full grip around the bar on my pullups for a while, and I actually prefer it that way. If you train and condition your muscles to where you can do 20 easy that way, then you'll be able to do at least 10 more with your thumbs on the same side.

[@utpalbasumatary]

I started doing pull ups on ledges. So when i did on a bar for the 1st time that thumb placement came naturally and thought everybody did the same. Glad to know i was doing right all along.

[@atune2682]

haha nice thats epic what are ledges?

[@iangonzalez4661]

@@atune2682 bruh

[@JASHJustASectionHiker]

Really appreciate the ideas. I have just done the one pull-up for decades. I will give the other ones a try. Thank you.

[@UsacHunt]

Simple and effective bar construction and coaching.

[@ffxiarcadius]

Best part about this is the grip tip I'm not fancy, no gym, I do pull ups off tree limbs when Im out walking around, and limbs arent always the same width, right? Ive noticed the thumb placement does cause extra stress on me, happy to finally hear someone actually confirming this.

[@rmk6998]

sean penn actually did pretty good in this one

[@allendaivs6060]

This grip has changed my life

[@georgepaul1613]

Gym bro explanation: engage your latimus dorsi trapezius maximus to contract your musculature in order to pull oneself above the bar thus achieving scapular hypertrophy Normal guy and everyone else in the gym: just pull yourself up

[@gabriellong4375]

Navy Seals are so wholesome.

[@Rem54655]

Just started doing pull-ups, good tips 👌

[@senorreaction8196]

I need another beer

[@b374mxg]

One question sir; do you recommend looking up to the sky or keep your head level? I've been looking up recently. Thank you

[@CosmicPowerCP]

Sooo helpful right off the bat. I didnt know i was gripping the bar wrong this entire time

[@RomanesEuntDomus.]

Here's a quick summary, in case you got lost in the details: 1) Grab the bar 2) Pull yourself up 3) Go down 4) Repeat

[@Noiconnotag]

Looks like I have been doing the proper grip position for decades while all the recent years BS fitness influencers teach the improper grip. Good video.

[@pedrocaria2673]

Thank you very much, with your tips I managed to perform my first pull up.

[@Cugaed]

This man is awesome.

[@TheDeathCrafter]

I lolled when he said reverse pull-up

[@BeastMK]

Isnt that Actually a Chin-Up ? :D

[@TheDeathCrafter]

@@BeastMK yess

[@big_stone5679]

This is something I’ll be watching at 3am for no reason

[@ZuhScare]

Really good video, the last one my older sister taught me, she isn't into it really at all but was just showing me and my younger sister it and thats how I learned to do pullups

[@DennisTeti]

Terrific information. It would’ve been great if on the first pull up Stew had said, “hi, there!” when lifting himself up

[@conscious_competence3703]

Dude you look like Roger federer.

[@225rip]

I didn’t know about the thumb, thanks.

[@NubiefromAustralia]

can someone please give this guy a sun glass?!

[@Spider-Too-Too]

didn't know stew used to has such accent.

[@pappaspideraxd7335]

It's crazy how switching my thumbs made the pullups and chin ups so much easier

[@SuperColonel91]

2:52 Or You Can Do What I Did...250 Push Ups For One Week Straight No Matter How You Get All 250 Reps Down A Day. What I Did Was 125 Push Ups In The Morning Before Work And Then 125 Push Ups At Night After Work. So Do That For 1 Week Straight And By The End Of The Week You Should Be Able To Do At Least 2 Or 3 Pull Ups!!! Now GET AFTER IT!!!

[@divyanshgaur9703]

thanks!! for this videos buddy

[@sonice9020]

glad to see travis bickle doing good for himself

[@noobfromhell563]

straight to the point, no bullshit

[@Mitutumuch]

I literally just laughed out loud. I been training for weeks my own method and trial and errors. just realized. the THUMB. is AMAZING. I was not using my thumb, and could barely do 1 Pull up. Now I can do sets of 3-6

[@dominusfons4455]

The reason is this kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKrPZ5ilipJmiMk watch from around 6:00 to 9:00 It's an animation of the connective tissues of your fingers. Thumb's run a different pathway than the rest mainly goes to the forearms.

[@DrRuhe]

watch athlean x, without the thumb injury is more likely

[@vetarpalivodica3999]

The only part I seem to have trouble with is when he says "and pull yourself up" other than that we good :)

[@doca8792]

Good old basic workouts that can save your life one day. I wonder how many the fancy, trendy workout program instructors can actually do.

[@luxinvictus9018]

most of them can probably do just as many. The reason they teach so many fancy, trendy exercises is to sell more programs. After all, if they only stuck to the basics, there would be one course, and they'd all be selling the same one. So, they find as many ways as possible of teaching you the same thing, package it up as a new course, and make money.

[@aaronyeomans5974]

Lol I can do more pull-ups than my stomach can handle 😂 I have literally given myself a hernia because my arms weren’t tired at all but my bitch ass abs were not having it, or it could just be because I’m at increased risk of hernia due to a bad appendix rupture

[@jmedlin81]

I kept thinking you push. You're supposed to PULL! I feel ridiculous - but have learned an important lesson, on this day.

[@Clay44444]

Legend has it he’s still saying “Pull yourself up”

[@biobauer8]

this jaw line has me in tears

[@mmanewz3018]

WOW, it was so relaxing to watch, are there more videos like this?

[@chillappreciator885]

Wow, I trained on a bar for a many years but that opened my eyes

[@MxTg117]

Just what I needed

[@revan552]

I can't speak for the Navy, but "suicide grip" (no thumb wrap) is not authorized for official events, training, and schools in the Army. The thumb must be wrapped around the bar for "proper" Army form. As a side note, a full-grip also trains your grip strength much more effectively than a suicide grip, so my personal recommendation (take it for what it's worth) is to train with a full grip, because you get more training value out of it. After all, "easy" isn't the point, right?

[@RyRy123ism]

I haven’t even been implementing thumbs just the four fingers

[@BrndnBrry]

01:12 "and pull yourself up" *shits* "and down".

[@guitardust21]

He doesn't say to pull shoulders back and down. Is it different in the military?

[@Brii.Z]

There we go.. 20 seconds in, this explains why my forearms are screaming for days after a few pull-ups. Could never figure out why... thanks for that advice!

[@alejalomama]

the guy farted on the first pull up LOL ..been there

[@BvngeeGvm]

Always train thumbs in the “improper” grip

[@devin9826]

when stew was young

[@Qwerty8790]

Stew Smith said fuck forearm development.

[@justCommando]

Woah, I'm gonna remember that thumb thing if I ever come across some challenger

[@user-xo2th7xo4w]

I got confused with the get back down part, had to call the fire department

[@majidjalal4911]

Roger that, Sergeant

[@ANTHONYPAOLICELLI]

The opposable thumb grip can add variety to your training. Pure gymnasts would say no matter where your thumb placement that as soon as you are flexing your wrists in sort of a rabbit punch grip/pull you are cheating or loosing the focus on the specific muscles to be involved. Thus with the thumbs aligned with the rest of your fingers and not opposite you are not really under the bar in a direct dead hang so his way is naturally easier or should be as opposed to gripping the bar as you would with the thumbs wrapped around the bar opposite the rest of your fingers.. It's still a pull up! But your body's plane of movement is arching over the bar rather than straight up and down with your thumbs wrapped around. I feel the biggest mistake made in pull up performance is not bar grip but not going fully down to that dead hang with arms fully extended with every rep. When you only go half way you are only doing partial pull ups despite reaching your desired number of reps to get your chin over that bar. Focus on proper form in all exercises. The number or reps you do will come in time. The height of the bar he is using is great as it allows his body to be fully extended above the ground. If your pull up bar is lower and you must bend your knees full arm extension must still be paramount- no excuses!

[@user-03-gsa3]

Thank you for the insight, sir

[@donovandownes5064]

how can it be easier with your thumb not wrapped around? Wouldn't using more muscles = having more muscles working towards maintaining your grip?

[@jaysomotivated6897]

Thanks I’ll try the thumbs tip

[@jakejavier1673]

Thank you! That really helps a lot!

[@Ealdorman_of_Mercia]

3:30 when someone does a silent fart next to you, you dont hear it of couse, but the moment you smell it..

[@degenerateWA]

This is assuming that one has the prerequisite strength to get the head above the bar in the first place.

[@bigback462]

That’s an honest man right there 😂

[@ProCoach2373]

I agree on the grid for a pull-up, but don't use that grip on a bar muscle up. Especially with a bar that has another smaller bar inside of the large bar. Your hand can slip on the way up and go between the bars and you can guess what happens next.

[@danbill9165]

O yeeeee what?

[@kurrr6202]

“We are really isolating the BACK MUSCLE” it’s good to see how far we’ve come

[@timowthie]

When was this recorded?

[@DraskoCobra]

Reject modernity, Embrace Fitness.

[@Unsung_Earth]

I'm watching this while drinking my 7th beer 🍺

[@LethargicLiam]

Soo, can anyone confirm that a thumb-under grip, instead of the one he is showing, is better workout for forearms?

[@AngelHernandez-un9yh]

That's what I'm wondering as well

[@mayeramschelrothschild3126]

Think about it. When you have your thumb under you are squeezing the bar with your hand. When your thumb is over you are just hooked on the bar. I always do thumb under just because I’m not worried about reps but if you want to do more reps then do thumb over. Been doing calisthenics for nearly 4 years and have a 1 rep max of 112 lbs added weight. I think I’d know :). Thumb over still works grip strength but nothing like thumb under does,

[@grootygroot6351]

Hooyah shipmate!

[@BeeeeepBoop]

Anyone else recognised that outro sound to be the same as the life is a special operation one?

[@MAR_10-x5w]

Holy shiit it really works the pull's more powerful

[@fuckyoutube75889]

Thanks for teaching me Macron

[@ANTIMANNER_GAMING]

Me watching this:- Hah...Easy!! Me trying this:- Nah...i'm good.

[@countryfella94]

I didn’t know there was a secret grip, the only advice I got was from Red Forman and that was “Pull…. Up”